Fernie Ford drives 4 Fernie Secondary School

Inviting drivers to brave the rainy weather, Fernie Ford hosted their annual Drive 4 UR School program at the Fernie Memorial Arena on Saturday.

Along with the proceeds raised from the barbeque, Fernie Ford and Ford Canada donated $20 to Fernie Secondary School for each individual test-driving a vehicle.

From left: Kim Ward and Dean Borgen with Fernie Ford barbequed during the Drive 4 UR School campaign held on Saturday.

“Despite the weather, we’re doing really well,” Fernie Ford service manager and co-owner Loretta Johnson said of the event. “Everyone’s been very supportive, we’ve had a really good turn out so far.”

At 12 p.m. Fernie Ford had already raised $1,500, with just over 70 individuals driving away from the lot in a brand new Ford vehicle.

Johnson noted that their ultimate goal is to raise $6,000 for Fernie Secondary School.

The Ford Drive 4 UR School and Community programs, which began in 2010, have already generated more than $5.5 million in donations for high schools and organization throughout Canada, hosting more than 1,950 events.

“We’re excited to partner with Fernie Secondary School to help raise funds for the graduating class,” Fernie Ford dealer principal Jim Johnson said in a press release. “Not only is the Drive program a chance to support extracurricular activities and give back to the community, but it allows us the opportunity to showcase Ford of Canada’s high-quality line-up and innovative safety technologies to parents, teenagers and other drivers.”

This year’s Fernie event featured the 2015 F-150, the 2015 Ford Escape as well as the 2015 Ford Focus and the 2015 Ford Fiesta.